International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Summaries & Evaluations

DICOFOL

4. Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation

4.1 Experimental data

Dicofol (technical-grade) was tested for carcinogenicity in mice
and rats by administration in the diet. It induced hepatocellular
carcinomas in male mice. The study in rats was considered to be
inadequate for evaluation.

Dicofol (technical-grade), even when given at high doses, had no
effect on reproduction or foetal development in mice; however, high
doses in rats appeared to have an adverse effect on preimplantation
stages of embryonal development.

Dicofol was negative in bacterial tests for mutagenicity and for
DNA damage, with or without exogenous metabolic activation. The
experimental protocols and results of studies with eukaryotes were not
presented in adequate detail for an evaluation to be made. No overall
evaluation of the mutagenicity of dicofol could be made.

4.2 Human data

Dicofol was introduced in 1955. Its production, formulation and
widespread use as an acaricide on cotton and edible crops are
potential sources of exposure, both of workers and of the general
population.

No data were available to evaluate the teratogenic or chromosomal
effects of dicofol in humans.

No case report or epidemiological study of the carcinogenicity of
dicofol alone was available to the Working Group. (See, however, the
section 'Cancer Epidemiology of Pesticide Manufacturers, Formulators
and Users', in this volume.)

4.3 Evaluation

Results of the experiment in mice provide limited evidence that
dicofol is carcinogenic to experimental animals. No data on humans
were available.

The available data are insufficient to evaluate the
carcinogenicity of dicofol to humans.